Here are a few tips for showing your home:When you have your home on the market, it needs to be ready to show at all times. Now of course you won’t have someone showing up at 7:00 a.m. or 10:00 p.m., but during reasonable hours, your home could be shown multiple times through the day and evening.

Having your agent put a lock box outside will allow them easy access without bothering you. Lock boxes contain a house key, and only licensed agents will have access.

If you have indoor pets or some other situation where a lock box wouldn’t work, agents can schedule appointments, which gives you a little advanced notice. Keep in mind that they could call 10 minutes before a showing although usually you will get an hour or two notice. Therefore, the best plan of action is to be prepared at all times. If an agent requests a showing and you refuse, instead of rescheduling, more than likely the potential buyers will just move on to the next house, meaning you’ve lost a possible sale. You never know what a showing will turn into a contract.

If possible, don’t be home when agents show your home. This allows the prospective buyer to look around at leisure and ask questions without pressure. If you’re home. For example, in the middle of cooking dinner, stay out of the way and don’t volunteer any information unless directly asked a question. Otherwise, let the agent do the talking.

If your home is being shown in the summer, make sure your home is cool on the inside just as you would keep it warm in the winter. You want to do everything possible to make your home feel like a home, which is what appeals to potential buyers and it leaves a lasting memory.

Your home doesn’t have to look like it just came off the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, but you should do your best to have it clean and tidy. Make sure there are no papers scattered about, the sink is empty of dirty dishes, toys are picked up and put away, and things are dusted and vacuumed.

When you know someone is coming, ensure that appropriate lighting is on. At night, this would include front and backyard lights. This provides a cozy feeling and makes your home more inviting.

If you notice rooms or areas that need paint touch-up or complete repainting, this is the time to do it. Make sure there is no torn wallpaper, gouges in the wall, etc. These types of things should all be fixed prior to your home going on the market.

Try to avoid scented sprays such as room fresheners or carpet deodorizers. Even if you use these products on a normal basis, to the buyer, it might appear as though you’re trying to mask some other type of odor. If you do want to have a nice fresh fragrance, consider fresh cut flowers, potpourri, or a soft-scented candle. A great home remedy is to mix one tablespoon of each – nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin spice. Pour all into a small saucepan filled with one cup of water, blend well, and simmer. Another option is to place a couple drops of vanilla extract directly onto the stove burner and heat quickly. The aroma is wonderful. Either option will give your home the fragrance of a nice home-cooked meal. Just don’t use anything too overpowering since you don’t know if the potential buyers have allergies or not.

Set a bowl of colorful, fresh fruit out on the kitchen table. Perhaps a soft throw blanket over the back of a recliner, magazines neatly fanned on the coffee table, or a couple candles glowing in the bathroom. These things make your home more homey and inviting. Just take a quick look around each room and see if there are things you can do to add a nice, finishing touch. If you need more ideas, look through some home decorating magazines for quick ideas.

Make sure the trashcans in all rooms are kept emptied, especially the kitchen trash where food items are thrown, and bathroom trashcans that might contain personal items. When people look at your home, you want to leave a positive impression. Seeing overflowing trash isn’t the way to go about it.

Make sure you don’t forget the garage. Keep your tools and storage items neatly arranged. If there are oil stains on the garage floor, use some sand and newspaper to wipe it up. This is just another room of the house and it should get the same level of attention.

Pets can be a little tricky. Make sure your listing mentions that you have pets. First, you don’t want them to accidentally escape and second, you want people who might have allergies or be fearful of pets to be aware they’re in the home. If possible, remove your pets prior to the showing. If you can’t do this, try to put them in a kennel, the backyard, or garage where they will be out of the way.

If you have any questions or topics you would like me to address, please call Cribbin Realty at 636-294-6061.

When was the last time you stood across the street and took a good hard look at your home? Don’t underestimate the importance of making a good first impression. It begins at the street — it’s called curb appeal. If you are competing with other homes for sale in your area, how does your home honestly compare?

Here are some basic questions that you should ask yourself:

• What is your first impression of the house and yard area?

• What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?

• What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Park your car where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit.

Some quick tips:

• Clean windows, fresh paint, swept walkways, and a lush green lawn are essential.
• Add colorful flowering potted plants, if the weather permits.
• Get rid of mold and mildew on the siding, roof, and driveways.
• Put unused garden tools into a storage shed.
• Clean gutters, sidings, and decks.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
• Mow the lawn and get rid of weeds. Rake and dispose of leaves.
• Trim tree branches that are near or touching the roof.

With 80% of buyers begining their search online, curb appeal begins at the first click. Don’t under estimate the importance of preparing your home to sell, good pictures and a detailed description of your property. There are professionals called “Home Stagers” who are trained in assisting home sellers and Real Estate Agents in preparing homes to sell. In fact, statistically professionally staged homes sell 50% faster and for 6% more then homes not professionally staged.

2. Not making the interior appealing


A lot of these suggestions are common sense, but remember that old saying, “you won’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.” De-clutter the inside of your home and box up everything you are not currently using. Pack away family photos and excessive knick-knacks. Buyers want to envision themselves in your home and your family photos might distract them from doing so. This will start the moving process and save time by breaking the task down into more manageable projects. Neatly store boxes in your garage or basement. Remove your child’s artwork and the refrigerator magnets. It may be charming to you, but to a buyer it’s just clutter. Make things light and bright. Turn lights on during showings, even during the daytime.

Remember that the way you live in a house and the way you sell a house are two different things. A fresh coat of paint and new carpeting or professional carpet-cleaning (depending on the present condition) are two of the most cost-effective items. Some sellers will offer the painting and new carpeting as an allowance, but it rarely has the impact that prior replacement would have on the home. It’s difficult for most buyers to imagine the potential of your home.

Bad smells are a big deterrent, so be sure to keep animal scents and cigarette smoke to a minimum in the house. Regarding pets, try to keep them out of the house. Keep stairways and walk-ways clear.

3. Incorrect pricing for the market


It is crucial to know whether you are in a housing market of appreciating or declining values. Do your research. The best source of current real estate conditions is your local real estate agent.

Ask your agent these questions:
What is going on in the local market?
How does the supply of available inventory (other homes for sale) measure up with the demand? Are there other factors to consider?
Are you competing with new home developments?
What is the current unemployment rate versus new job growth?
Knowing the facts will help you price your home accordingly.

It’s important to understand the distinction between pricing your home to sell versus overpricing your home to sit on the market unsold.

4. Signing a listing contract with no way out


If you are signing a long term contract, make sure there is an option to cancel if the agent is not performing their duties. Most agents will do their job and more. You want to protect yourself and make sure there is a way to cancel in case you are not happy with their performance.

Ask your agent for a written marketing plan and what sort of guarantee they offer if they are not performing their duties. Ask if you can get out of the contract. Even if you are let out, can you list the home immediately with another agent of your choice? Sometimes an agent will withdraw your listing but you will be unable to list the home with another agent until the term of your contract expires with the current company. This could waste time and cost you money.

And above all, make sure you get everything in writing!. Not utilizing the knowledge of a professional Realtor Your real estate agent is your best tool. So don’t forget to ask him or her for their honest opinion. They see many different homes on a regular basis and will have a good idea of what your home needs.

Sit down with your real estate agent and work together to find curb appeal projects that are within your budget. A professional local Realtor will also price your home accordingly. A local agent has a better idea of pricing and strategies that work in your community.

Tell him or her what your goals are and they will do their best to help you reach those goals. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t understand something in the real estate contracts. A good Realtor wants you to be happy with your decision to sell your home, they will be glad to explain the contract lingo in plain English.